(CNN) - In what could be a bad sign for John McCain, more voters than ever before this election cycle feel the economy is the most important issue to their vote - a subject on which Barack Obama has consistently held an advantage.

According to a new CNN/Opinion Research Corporation poll, nearly 6 in 10 registered voters now say the economy is more important than any other issue - a number that is almost a double digit jump from a similar poll taken in July. And it's nearly double the 35 percent of voters who thought the economy was the No. 1 issue in January.

Meanwhile, the issue John McCain is strongest on - Iraq - has steadily declined in importance among voters. In the latest poll only 10 percent of registered voters say it is most important, down from 25 percent who felt it was most important in July.

The poll was conducted September 19-21, entirely after the crisis on Wall Street unfolded. It surveyed 909 registered voters and carries a margin of error of plus or minus 3 percent.

soundoff(1,184 Responses)

Well I'm all for putting our economy in the hands of the guy that thinks FDR spoke to the nation on TV in 1929...I'm sure he'll get it done

September 25, 2008 08:18 pm at 8:18 pm |

Jeff Brown

Guess you can thank your GOP pals for screwing up your chances for election Johnny Boy!

September 25, 2008 08:19 pm at 8:19 pm |

McChicken hatchett

And now we can't let McChicken dodge the debate.

September 25, 2008 08:19 pm at 8:19 pm |

HAWK, TEXAS

IT MAY BE THAT THE PEOPLE ARE WAKING UP. MC CAIN IN HIS OWN WORDS HAS NO ECONOMIC EXPERTISE. THAT IS OBAMAS STRONG POINT, BESIDES PALIN AS V.P. SHOWS THAT MC CAIN IS IN THE TWILIGHT ZONE. WHILE JOE BIDEN BRINGS TONS OF EXPERIENCE TO THE TABLE. MC CAIN AND PHIL GRAMM ARE AT THE VERY FRONT OF THE PEOPLE THAT SHOVED DEREGULATION DOWN OUR THROATS.G.W. BUSH AND THE REPUBLICANS TOOK OFFICE WITH A HUGE SURPLUS AND TURNED IT INTO THE BIGGEST DEFICT EVER. AND THEY ARE NOT THROUGH YET.

September 25, 2008 08:19 pm at 8:19 pm |

Joe from Ohio

Thats how its going to be all the way to Nov. 4th

Obama/Biden 08/12

September 25, 2008 08:20 pm at 8:20 pm |

Anonymous

As an undecided voter, I think it would be a horrible mistake for McCain to cancel or delay the debate. It would show weakness.

September 25, 2008 08:20 pm at 8:20 pm |

EJ

Bennnet's is full of it. what economists when were they ever right. Who are the economist that the is quoting? Reveiled who they are

September 25, 2008 08:20 pm at 8:20 pm |

INDEPENDANT VET

ALL THIS METHAINE GAS , FROM ALL THE BS .AND THEY HAVE NOT FOUND A WAY TO COLLECT IT AS OF TODAY. AN MORE IS POURED OUT EVER SECOND BY THE MEDIA. . NOW THEY ARE BLAMING THE FARMERS LIVE STOCK. . WANTING THEM TO COLLECT ALL THE COW S. YET THERE BULL S____ CAN CONTINUE . THEY CALL IT GREEN HOUSE GAS'ES . MOST OF US SAY BULL S___ IS BULL S____. THATS WHAT YOU ARE GETTING FROM THE DEMOCRATS.

FIRST THERE A LOT URGENT PRIORITIES , WHEN THEY REALLY SCREWED UP WHEN THE SAVED FANNIE MAE , WHY , FOR WITH THERE ,( FLIP FLOPPERS )TIES WITH MR. RANES , BIG MORTGAGE GIANT , AND CONTRIBUTOR TO OBAMA . NO 1 MISTAKE. SAVE THEM FOR THAT.

NOW THEY WANT ALL THIS MONEY TO SAVE THOSE HOMES , THAT THEY COULD NOT AFFORD TO START WITH. TAKE THE AVERAGE JOE. IF ANY 5TH GRADE KNOWLEDGE , THAT WHEN YOU PURCHASE SOMETHING WAY BEYOND YOUR MEANS , AN KNOWING YOU MAY NEVER STAY ON THE SAME INCOME FOR 50 YRS. GUESS THEY KNOW THEY WILL NEVER GET SICK , THEN THEY HAVE TO KEEP UP WITH THE JONES , PURCHASE 2 SUV'S GAS GUZZLIERS. WENT ON THAT VACATION TO HOLLYWOOD, AND MAXED THERE CREDIT CARD, NOW BILLS ARE DUE , AN SO , NOW THEY ARE CRYING FOUL . AN WE PAY FOR IT.

THEN WE HAVE IKE , THAT IS IN DEEP TROUBLE , SOME HAVE BEEN TOLD YOU HAVE TO STAY GONE TILL NEXT YEAR . YET THEY DON'T TALK ABOUT THEM PEOPLE . THEY NEVER WENT OUT AN CAUSED ALL THAT DAMAGE. NOW WE SEE AS JOE B. SAID, TO HELL WITH THOSE TEXANS , WE DIDN'T LIKE THEM IN THE FIRST PLACE. NEVER EVER HEAR THE MEDIA MENTION THAT AGAIN.
SO WHERE DO WE STAND NOW .

IT IS IF THE MEDIA WINS , THE WORKING PEOPLE , ARE GOING TO HAVE A BIG FAMILY TO SUPPORT , FOR ALL THE ILLEGALS WILL FLOCK IN HERE TO GET THAT $2,000.00 BONUS IF THEY DONT MAKE $30,000. AN HAVE NO TAXES TO PAY , OUR BORDERS WILL BE OVER RUN.

SOME BODY RE SET THERE ALARM CLOCK , WE HAVE A WAR GOING ON , AN MAYBE BEFORE SUN UP WE WILL BE IN ANOTHER . AN IT DOES NOT TAKE A FIFTH GRADER TO SEE THAT . ALL THE MEDIA SEE'S IS HOLLYWOOD , NOW YOU GOT THESE NITE COMEDIANS , THAT THINK THEY ARE PLAYING A NEW VIDIO GAME .THAT THIS IS A JOKE . OK!! DAVID l.
CUT THE JOKES , WE ARE IN DEEP TROUBLE AN IT IS NOT TIME FOR THESE KIND OF JOKES.
THE NEW 9 11 CAN COME ABOUT BEFORE YOU EVEN READ THIS. A MEN GOD BLESS THE USA . JOIN TOGETHER AN WE SHALL OVER COME . AS IS COME ON MAVRICKS . YOUR HELP IS NEEDED. AMERICA IS NOT FOR SALE.

September 25, 2008 08:21 pm at 8:21 pm |

Edward

In the words of AC/DC:

" Runaway Train, running right off the track!"

September 25, 2008 08:21 pm at 8:21 pm |

Sue

Obama "now is not the time to be worrying about who gets credit and who gets blame" I bet!! The democrats want to run this deal through as quick as possible to take the focus off them. Clinton and the Democrats and all their cronies in Fannie Mae made this mess, socializing mortgages, forcing banks to loan to people who had no way to pay and forcing the banks to increase the numbers receiving them from 40% to 70%- OBAMA votes 100% with his party. That's not change or hope. Main street is just as responsible for this mess by taking home mortgages they had no way to pay- I would like to see CNN do some REAL JOURNALISM. What about Obamas role in this- his advisors- Fannie Mae CEO's, his role with ACORN and the black caucus pushing forward these loans and why did Dodd and Obama receive so much in contributions from Fannie Mae. The republicans wanted tighter oversight which the Dems resisted- even Clinton admits to this. If this bailout goes through and if we ever get any money back Obama would spend it all on all of the other social programs he wants- pay everyones education,health insurance and have the government run it. Just remember the wonderful job big government and the Dems have done with giving low income and illegal aliens their own homes. BUYER BEWARE.

Seattle

September 25, 2008 08:21 pm at 8:21 pm |

Lisa

The sinister ways have backfired and the party is imploding.
Obama/Biden 08

September 25, 2008 08:22 pm at 8:22 pm |

Sharon

Does MCain really think we are dumb enough to buy into this, "I'm suspending my campaign"?????? He doesn't seem to realize that there are many other elected congressmen (& women) who share the same power he does. They have been working on this night & day. The last thing they need is televison cameras and the Presidential campaign interfering with their hard work. The debate with Obama is only 90 minutes of his time!!! It too late to be a hero. If he really cared about this issue, he would have been lobbying his own fellow Republicans years ago to change it. You can't come in at the last minute & try to save a nation.

September 25, 2008 08:22 pm at 8:22 pm |

Teddy California

When almost the only big news is financial crisis, economy should be the top issue. If the financial crisis is not resolved before the election, there is no chance McCain can win.

September 25, 2008 08:23 pm at 8:23 pm |

HawaiianGecko

McCain will own the economic issue by next week.

September 25, 2008 08:23 pm at 8:23 pm |

Jimmy

Well, it's funny when the media blames one party over the other, reports it a few hundred times, then it becomes a socialist station. Who would have thought?!? You reap what you sow

September 25, 2008 08:24 pm at 8:24 pm |

Remus

Of course his political stunt over the last 2 days didn't help him either. He better hope for a miracle at the debates.

September 25, 2008 08:24 pm at 8:24 pm |

nadeem

McCain is a total screw up! I am so mad at him. Before he showed up in Washington they had a deal, he shows up a screws everything up just to put on a political circus.

What a moron!

September 25, 2008 08:24 pm at 8:24 pm |

MICHAEL

I'm voting for John McCain – NOT!!! Even with all is qualifications, inventing the Blackberry, hiring dishonest people (Rick Davis), his statement "the economy is fundamentally stable", his foreign policy knowledge (Where's Spain?), and moron for a VP choice, for some reason I can't vote for him. Enough Said??

September 25, 2008 08:24 pm at 8:24 pm |

Lynn Florida

Let see the people care about the economy when another 911 occurs.

The economy is important we all should read both Obama's and McCains plans. I have to say I am not sure about either plan.

But I am sure we just can't let terriorist back on our soil again. I don't agree with talking with them either like Obama wants.

September 25, 2008 08:24 pm at 8:24 pm |

Neal

Historically, throughout the 20th century conservatives and the Republican party have been BAD for the economy. There is no debate in that.
If Americans continue to vote against their interest they deserve what they get.

September 25, 2008 08:24 pm at 8:24 pm |

Kid Rock, Mi

McSames tired antics are almost like watching a circus. At a time when americans want answers he runs like a coward from debate. Anyone that votes for him is also a coward at this point. Working on the Bail out? Please spare us John, you are "always for deregulation"
Why don't you deregulate us from our debt now. Thats right, tell us that we should not pay our mortgages, after all if the Bail out goes through, we owe ourselves for our own homes. If not we owe your friends.

September 25, 2008 08:24 pm at 8:24 pm |

AJB

It's clear by Sen McCain's recent actions, his top priority is to get elected, "by any means necessary". His activities the past two weeks indicate what an "empty air head he is. " A so called economic crises and he doesn't bother to read the 3 page proposal for Bail-Out developed by HIS PARTY leadership. His responses each day became stranger each day. Then, he just ups and decides he's "suspending" his campaign-is this the kind of person that we need as President? Are the American voters so clueless they can't see through this? Well, the more he reveals himself the more he loses standing in my view. He's the "emperor who's lost his robe and is bare naked before his subjects"!

September 25, 2008 08:25 pm at 8:25 pm |

Adele

McCain is a joke and a disgrace. I use to respect McCain but not anymore.

September 25, 2008 08:25 pm at 8:25 pm |

nelda

McCain impulse to to point at others and not take any responsibility for any of his wrongdoing. Believe me, he has plenty!

Months agao, McCain told us that he doesn't understand the economy. Last week, he said the economy was solid and strong.
This crisis is scaring him to the point that he wants a "time out".
Do we want a president who can't handle a crisis and more than 1 thing at a time?

He's a liar and he's up o no good. He doesn't have our best interests but only his. He wants to win the election and he's doing anything and everything to get it. Shame on him!!

September 25, 2008 08:25 pm at 8:25 pm |

Carlisle Barracks, PA Soldier

Senator McCain, it's high time that the American people stop focusing on what you did almost 3 decades ago as a POW and focus on what you have or should I say have not done since that time and that is simply LEAD. You are reacting rather than anticipating and finally the American people can see you for what you are...and that is an ineffective leader who chose Palin as a reaction rather than through a deliberate thought process.